Nicole Love Hendrickson

Nicole Love Hendrickson was elected Chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on November 3, 2020 in a historic election, making her the first African American to hold this position.

Nicole is a Social Worker, Bridge Builder and Community Advocate. Prior to running for office, she served as the founding director of the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners’ first ever comprehensive outreach program that involves engaging diverse constituents in County Government. She launched the Gwinnett Citizens Academy and the Gwinnett Youth Commission, among many community-based initiatives in her 5-year tenure. She served as the Associate Director of the Gwinnett Coalition for Health & Human Services for eight years prior to her appointment with the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.

Nicole is active in numerous business, civic and service organizations. She currently serves on the boards of the United Way Gwinnett Community Board, the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Aurora Theatre. She served on the Children’s Healthcare Community Board from 2013-2020 and was the past Board Chair of the Gwinnett Young Professionals from 2017-2019. Nicole is a member of the Rotary Club of Gwinnett County, and has held the positions of Treasurer and Public Image Chair.
Nicole is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Gwinnett, a 2016 graduate of the ARC’s Regional Leadership Institute, and 2016 graduate of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber’s Cultivating Hispanic Leaders Institute.

Nicole was the recipient of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Public Service Award in 2017, and Georgia Trend named her one of the state’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2018. In the following year, she received the Trailblazer Award from the 100 Black Men of Metro Atlanta- recognizing her for her years of service and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

Nicole earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and later went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. Nicole is a Rhode Island native but has called Gwinnett County home for more than 12 years. She currently resides in Lilburn, with her husband and their son.